Christopher Zanella will race in Formula Renault 3.5 this year after signing with the ISR team.

The Swiss driver has spent the past two years in the now-defunct FIA Formula Two Championship, finishing second in 2011 and third in 2012, taking four race wins.

Having made appearances in GP2 and FR3.5 testing in recent months with various teams, Zanella has joined up with ISR for the third test taking place at Barcelona this week. He joins Russian Auto GP convert Sergey Sirotkin at the team, which was in contention for the title last year with Sam Bird, who will return to GP2 this year it was revealed this morning.

“This is really a great opportunity for me and I’m looking forward to starting the season at Monza, which is also my favourite circuit,” said 23-year-old Zanella. “This is one of the moments that all racing drivers are working towards, being a winning organisation like this, the right platform to get results and I’m determined to do as much as I can, while doing the best possible job for the team.

“ISR Racing has shown many times that it is an excellent place for a young driver to work and I intend to make the most of this opportunity. Let me thank Mr Salaquarda and all in ISR Racing for giving me the chance to prove myself at the highest level and let me thanks my sponsors and my family for supporting me again.”

Team chief Igor Salaquarda added: “I’m very satisfied to welcome this driver who we believe is ready to race in a demanding category like World Series by Renault after his important career in Formula Renault 2.0, F3 and Formula 2. The test mileage that we did together today in Barcelona confirmed the driver’s ability and make me looking forward to 2013 with enthusiasm.”

Two seats remain on the 2013 grid with the revamped Zeta Corse team. Mihai Marinescu is set to drive one of their cars, while GP3’s Dino Zamparelli is testing the other at Barcelona this week.